Title
First Reading of Ordinance No. 18-1001, Creating the Downtown Economic Improvement District
Body
RECOMMENDED ACTION (Motion):
Staff recommends that the City Commission conduct a public hearing and approve the attached ordinance adopting the Economic Improvement District for downtown Oregon City
BACKGROUND:
On April 1, 2015 the City Commission adopted a resolution to call for a public hearing to adopt the Economic Improvement District (EID) in downtown Oregon City for a period of three (3) years. The initial EID became effective on April 15, 2011 with a term of four years to allow for District project completion but expired in April 2015. This is a second effort to establish the EID in downtown with the first attempt to renew the EID failed earlier this year due to receiving more than 33% remonstrance from affected property/primary business owners as regulated ORS 223.117. A successful second effort to establish the EID will result in the assessment period becoming effective July 17, 2015. The purpose of the EID is to fund economic development activities that specifically benefit main street commerce in downtown Oregon City. Throughout the District's four-year term, many successful projects and promotional activities have been carried out resulting in positive impacts on Oregon City's Main Street community. A new EID is necessitated by the activities that have yet to be completed that will further enhance the economic viability of Main Street. Examples of those projects are as follows:
* Bolstering of business/developer recruitment for downtown
* Housing recruitment program
* Ongoing marketing and promotions
* Infrastructure improvements including gateway art, light pole flags and public right-of-way
enhancements
* Grant writing, publicity and advocacy
In order to be able to assess the property in the EID, the City Commission needs to enact an ordinance with a provision for assessments to occur within a specified number of years granting to the proper...
Click here for full text